Bulk material conveying system and ejector therefor

ABSTRACT

An ejector for providing motive gas for conveying particulate solids from a solids supply vessel through a conveying pipeline includes a gas introduction stage and a solids introduction stage. The gas introduction stage includes a fluids mixing chamber having a principal inlet port for connecting to a source of high-pressure compressed gas, an outlet port connected to the solids introduction stage, and a secondary inlet port that is open to the atmosphere or other low-pressure gas source. The solids introduction stage includes a fluids/solids mixing chamber having an inlet port connected to the gas introduction stage, an outlet port for connecting to a pipeline, and a material receiving port for connecting to a vessel outlet. As the compressed gas enters the gas introduction stage, the high velocity gas induces atmospheric air or other low-pressure gas from the secondary inlet port, thus increasing the mass flow into the solids introduction stage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic system for conveying particulate materials and more particularly to pneumatic conveying ejectors for introducing a flow of pressurized motive gas that provides energy for conveying the particulate solids.

[0002] Typically, particulate material that is stored in a hopper or silo or is exiting a manufacturing process is gravity fed into a solids supply vessel or rotary valve airlock and then conveyed through a pipeline to a remote collection site. The pipeline, which is connected to the material outlet at the bottom of the solids supply vessel or rotary valve airlock is pressurized to within a desired pressure range that provides a pressure differential between the solids supply vessel or rotary valve airlock and the remote collection site suitable to achieve a desired material flow in the pipeline. An ejector may, under certain conditions, replace the solids supply vessel or rotary valve to supply compressed gas (e.g. air) into the pipeline to move the particulate material through the pipeline as it is delivered from the granular solids source.

[0003] In certain environments, particulate material is conveyed using a supply of compressed gas having a gauge pressure of 15 psig or less. This low pressure gas is supplied by a suitable low-pressure compressor. Alternately, rather than using a dedicated low-pressure compressor, the plant's high-pressure (e.g. 80-120 psig) compressed gas source may be used to power the conveying ejector. The high-pressure supply is regulated to a lower pressure before delivery to the ejector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention improves the efficiency of ejectors for low-pressure pneumatic conveying systems that are powered by gas (e.g. air) from a high-pressure source. In the system of the present invention, the ejector for conveying particulate solids includes two stages, a gas introduction stage and a solids introduction stage. The solids introduction stage connects to the outlet of the source of granular solids to be conveyed and to the pipeline for introducing compressed gas and solids into the pipeline to convey the material flowing from the outlet through the pipeline. The gas introduction stage mixes the high pressure gas from the high-pressure source with air or other suitable gas at atmospheric or low pressure and discharges such mixture into the solids introduction stage.

[0005] The gas introduction ejector stage includes a T-shaped or cylindrically shaped fluids mixing chamber with a primary inlet port, an outlet port that is collinear with the primary inlet port, and a transversely located, upper secondary inlet port. The primary inlet port has connected therein a high-pressure compressed gas supply connector, which is in turn connected to a high-pressure source. The outlet port has connected therein a nozzle that provides communication between the gas introduction ejector stage fluids mixing chamber and a similar T-shaped or cylindrically shaped fluids/solids mixing chamber of the solids introduction ejector stage. The secondary inlet port of the gas introduction ejector stage is opened to the atmosphere or other source of suitable low-pressure gas.

[0006] In operation, as high-pressure compressed gas enters the gas introduction stage mixing chamber at high velocity, a vacuum is created in the gas introduction stage mixing chamber which draws in atmospheric air or other low-pressure gas from the secondary inlet port. This mixture of compressed gas and atmospheric air/low-pressure gas is discharged at a high velocity into the solids introduction stage fluids/solids mixing chamber through the connecting nozzle. The particulate solids passing from the outlet of the solids supply vessel enter the fluids/solids mixing chamber and are entrained in the high velocity mixture of compressed gas and atmospheric air/low-pressure gas, and the gas/air/suspended solids mixture is conveyed out of the fluids/solids mixing chamber and through the pipeline.

[0007] In this manner, the normally wasted energy of the high-pressure compressed gas is used to induce additional mass flow. Inducing additional mass flow by drawing atmospheric air or low-pressure gas in through the secondary inlet port allows a reduction in the amount of high-pressure gas needed to meet the mass flow requirements of the system, thereby saving energy and costs associated therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the pneumatic conveying system of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the two-stage ejector of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The pneumatic conveying system 10 of the present invention is shown generally in FIG. 1. The system includes a product source 12, e.g. a hopper or silo containing particulate material, a solids supply vessel or spout 14 in communication with hopper 12 for receiving material therefrom through gravity flow and under control of inlet valve 16 (required only in some environments), a pneumatic pipeline 18 with diffuser 19 for conveying material from vessel 14, and a source of high-pressure compressed gas (e.g. air) 20. Typically, source 20 will be the plant's high-pressure compressed gas source having a gauge pressure in the range of about 80-120 psig.

[0011] Conveying gas passes through high-pressure gas conducting channel 22 that has connected therein pressure gauge 24, a valve 26, and check valve 28 (optional in some environments). An optional secondary channel 23 is divided off from main channel 22 to supply compressed gas to solids supply vessel 14 through throttling valve 25. The ejector 30 of the present invention includes a gas introduction stage 32 that connects to channel 22 through high-pressure connector 34, and a solids introduction stage 36 that connects to gas introduction stage 32, material outlet 38 of solids supply vessel 14 and conveying pipeline 18.

[0012] As best shown in FIG. 2, gas introduction stage 32 of ejector 30 includes a generally T-shaped fluids mixing chamber 40 formed by a generally cylindrical wall 41 and has a primary inlet port 42, an outlet port 44 collinear with primary inlet port 42, and a transversely located, upper secondary inlet port 46, which is open to the atmosphere or other low-pressure gas supply. Chamber 40 will generally be slightly below atmospheric pressure. High-pressure connector 34 is supported within primary inlet port 42 in a mounting block 48 with a sealing O-ring 50.

[0013] Connector 34 connects on one end to high-pressure gas conducting channel 22, which in turn is connected to high-pressure gas source 20, as shown in FIG. 1. Connector 34 terminates on the ejector end in an orifice 52 that is located within chamber 40 and is aligned coaxially with the opening of nozzle 54. Nozzle 54 is mounted within output port 44 of chamber 40 in any suitable manner.

[0014] Solids introduction stage 36 of ejector 30 includes a generally T-shaped fluids/solids mixing chamber 56 formed by generally cylindrical wall 58 and has an inlet port 60, an outlet port 62 collinear with inlet port 60, and a transversely located material receiving port 64. Nozzle 54 is supported within inlet port 60 in a mounting block 66. The opening through nozzle 54 includes a convergent cone section 68 located proximately to orifice 52, and a throat 70 that opens into chamber 56.

[0015] Diffuser 19 of pipeline 18 is mounted within output port 62 of chamber 56 in any suitable manner. Diffuser 19 is preferably formed as a venturi with a convergent cone section 72 located proximately to throat 70 of nozzle 54, a constricted throat section 74 and a divergent cone section 76. Material outlet 38 of solids supply vessel 14 is mounted within upper port 64 of chamber 56 in any suitable manner.

[0016] In operation, high-pressure compressed gas is delivered from source 20 through channel 22 to connector 34. As the compressed gas passes through orifice 52 of connector 34 and into the lower pressure fluids mixing chamber 40 (which is generally below atmospheric pressure), the high velocity gas draws in atmospheric air or low-pressure gas from the upper secondary inlet port 46 as it enters the convergent cone section 68 of the opening in nozzle 54, thereby increasing the mass flow through nozzle 54. This mixture of compressed gas and atmospheric air/low-pressure gas is discharged from throat 70 of nozzle 54 into fluids/solids mixing chamber 56 of solids introduction stage 36. Particulate solids passing from material outlet 38 enter chamber 56 through upper material receiving port 64 and are entrained in the high velocity mixture of compressed gas and atmospheric air/low-pressure gas and the gas/air/suspended solids mixture is moved by positive pressure through diffuser 19 and into the downstream conveying pipeline 18.

[0017] The induction of atmospheric air or low-pressure gas in gas introduction stage 32 of ejector 30 prior to entrainment of the particulate solids in solids introduction stage 36 yields an increase in mass flow over that provided by the high pressure gas alone. Thus, sufficient mass flow for solids conveyance can be achieved without increasing the size of orifice 52 (which would increase the amount of compressed gas flowing into chamber 40). Flow rate requirements for pneumatic conveying systems are calculated using conventional and well-known methods. Once the flow rate requirements for a given system are established, the relationship between the size of orifice 52 for admitting compressed gas and the size of upper port 46 for admitting atmospheric air or low-pressure gas can be determined empirically to achieve the necessary flow. It has been found, for example, that with the present invention at least one cubic foot of atmospheric air can be induced for every cubic foot of compressed air supplied to ejector 30, yielding at least a 50% saving of compressed air while still providing the desired mass flow.

[0018] From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those having ordinary skill in the art to which the aforementioned invention pertains. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for conveying particulate solids comprising: a solids supply vessel for receiving particulate solids to be conveyed and including an outlet for discharging said solids; a pipeline for conveying said particulate solids; a source of high-pressure compressed gas; an ejector connected to said source of high-pressure compressed gas, to said outlet of said vessel and to said pipeline for entraining materials from said vessel outlet in a gas and for moving a mix of said solids and gas through said pipeline; said ejector including a gas introduction stage and a solids introduction stage, said gas introduction stage including a fluids mixing chamber having a primary inlet port connected to said source of high-pressure compressed gas, an outlet port connected to said solids introduction stage, and a secondary inlet port that is open to the atmosphere or other low-pressure gas supply; said solids introduction stage including a fluids/solids mixing chamber having an inlet port connected to said gas introduction stage, an outlet port connected to said pipeline, and a material receiving port connected to said vessel outlet.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ejector gas introduction stage primary inlet port is generally collinear with said gas introduction stage outlet port.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said ejector gas introduction stage secondary inlet port is transverse to said gas introduction stage primary inlet and outlet ports.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ejector solids introduction stage inlet port is generally collinear with said solids introduction stage outlet port.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said ejector solids introduction stage material receiving port is transverse to said solids introduction stage inlet and outlet ports.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a nozzle for connecting said gas introduction stage outlet port to said solids introduction stage inlet port.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a high-pressure connector for connecting said source of high-pressure gas to said gas introduction stage primary inlet port.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said connector includes an orifice on one end which is located within said fluids mixing chamber.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 8 including a nozzle for connecting said gas introduction stage outlet port to said solids introduction stage inlet port.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said nozzle includes an opening having a convergent cone section located proximately to said orifice.
 11. An ejector for providing motive gas for conveying particulate solids from a solids supply vessel through a conveying pipeline comprising: a gas introduction stage and a solids introduction stage, said gas introduction stage including a fluids mixing chamber having a primary inlet port for connecting to a source of high-pressure compressed gas, an outlet port connected to said solids introduction stage, and a secondary inlet port that is open to the atmosphere or other low-pressure gas supply; said solids introduction stage including a fluids/solids mixing chamber having an inlet port connected to said gas introduction stage, an outlet port for connecting to a pipeline, and a material receiving port for connecting to a vessel outlet.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said ejector gas introduction stage primary inlet port is generally collinear with said gas introduction stage outlet port.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said ejector gas introduction stage secondary inlet port is transverse to said gas introduction stage primary inlet and outlet ports.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said ejector solids introduction stage inlet port is generally collinear with said solids introduction stage outlet port.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said ejector solids introduction stage material receiving port is transverse to said solids introduction stage inlet and outlet ports.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 11 including a nozzle for connecting said gas introduction stage outlet port to said solids introduction stage inlet port.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 11 including a high-pressure connector for connecting a source of high-pressure gas to said gas introduction stage primary inlet port.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said connector includes an orifice on one end which is located within said fluids mixing chamber.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 18 including a nozzle for connecting said gas introduction stage outlet port to said solids introduction stage inlet port.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said nozzle includes an opening having a convergent cone section located proximately to said orifice.
 21. A method for conveying particulate solids comprising: supplying high-pressure compressed gas into a gas introduction stage of an ejector; inducing atmospheric air or other low-pressure gas into said ejector gas introduction stage and mixing said high-pressure compressed gas with said induced atmospheric air or other low-pressure gas; discharging said mixture of compressed gas and atmospheric air or other low-pressure gas into a solids introduction stage of said ejector; discharging particulate solids from an outlet of a solids supply vessel into said ejector solids introduction stage; entraining said solids in said mixture of compressed gas and air or other low-pressure gas and conveying said mixture of 